Soroptimist International Dublin

23/08/2026

Members of Soroptimist International Dublin had a lovely afternoon in Greystones, hosted by Soroptimist International Bray & District , thank you for your welcome and generosity! The garden was decked out in an orange theme, in line with Orange the World.

Lovely food and great chats!

Soroptimist SIGBI SI Ireland

11/08/2026

Ireland's new S*x for Rent legislation came into force this July, making it a criminal offence to propose, accept or advertise s*x in exchange for accommodation. It's a significant step forward, and one Ruhama has long called for. We continue to provide support to a cohort of women impacted by this situation.

This law change alone doesn't end s*xual exploitation. When the victims are without alternative housing options, they will continue to be exploited, and reporting isn't always safe or simple.

S*x isn't rent. If someone has asked you to pay that way, Ruhama is here to help, with free, confidential support at every stage, whether you're still in that situation or trying to leave it.

Text REACH to 50100, call 1800 020 202, or visit ruhama.ie.

*xForRent

08/08/2026

30/07/2026

What a great day! On UN World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, a few of our Soroptimist International Dublin members attended the launch of Year Two of the SI Ireland Hidden in Plain Sight campaign in Dáil Éireann.

It was great to see how our campaign is brought to the heart of Irish democracy, continuing our commitment to raising awareness of human trafficking and advocating for stronger action to prevent exploitation.

Our sincere thanks to Senator Alison Comyn for hosting today’s event and for her leadership in ensuring that the issue of human trafficking remains firmly on the political agenda.

We were also delighted that Cynthia Ní Mhurchú MEP joined us virtually from the European Parliament, reinforcing the importance of tackling human trafficking through cooperation at local, national and European levels.

Today’s event brought together voices from policing, academia, international organisations and civil society.

We were privileged to hear from:

🔹 Detective Inspector Adrian Kinsella, Garda National Protective Services Bureau, Human Trafficking Investigation Coordination Unit & Organised Prostitution Investigation Unit.

🔹 Julie Bourgade, National Programme Manager, IOM Ireland – the United Nations Migration Agency.

🔹 Dr Niamh Flanagan, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Applied Social Studies, Maynooth University, whose research focuses on social policy, child and family policy, and responses to child trafficking.

Over the past 18 months, Hidden in Plain Sight has reached an estimated 300,000 people, engaged communities across Ireland, generated national awareness, and brought our advocacy from local communities to the United Nations and today, to Dáil Éireann. Speaking ahead of the launch, Dr Siobhán Matthews National President of Soroptimist
International Republic of Ireland, said:
"Human trafficking is one of the most serious human rights abuses of our time, yet it remains
hidden in plain sight. Behind the statistics are real people whose lives have been affected by
exploitation, fear and abuse.”

Year One opened people’s eyes.

Year Two is about turning awareness into action.

Together, we will continue to educate, advocate and work towards a future where human trafficking is no longer hidden in plain sight.

Alison Comyn Soroptimist SIGBI

30/07/2026

Today, Hidden in Plain Sight is at the Leinster House!

We are honoured to bring our campaign to the heart of Irish democracy through an awareness and advocacy event in Dáil Éireann, kindly hosted by Cynthia Ní Mhurchú MEP and Deputy Alison Comyn, Chair of the Women's Caucus.

Over the past 18 months, our campaign has reached communities across Ireland, and today, those conversations continue where policy is shaped.

Human trafficking cannot be tackled by one organisation alone. It requires collaboration between government, law enforcement, frontline services, legislators and civil society.

We are proud to be part of that conversation! More about our sessions tomorrow!

29/07/2026

Tomorrow, the world marks UN World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.

Over the past nine days, we've shared facts, challenged myths, highlighted the warning signs and celebrated the incredible work of Soroptimist International Republic of Ireland clubs in raising awareness across our communities.

But awareness isn't the finish line.
It's the starting point.

Human trafficking continues to affect women, men and children around the world, including here in Ireland. It relies on silence, vulnerability and people looking the other way.

Together, we can help change that.
Take a moment to remember:
💙 Human trafficking happens in Ireland.
💙 It is often hidden in plain sight.
💙 Awareness can help protect vulnerable people.
💙 Every conversation has the power to make a difference.

Thank you to everybody who has stood with us throughout the Hidden in Plain Sight campaign.
Tomorrow, we stand together with communities across the world to mark UN World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.

Let's continue to shine a light where traffickers depend on darkness.
Because together, we can ensure that human trafficking is no longer hidden in plain sight.

28/07/2026

Over the past 18 months, Soroptimist International Republic of Ireland's Hidden in Plain Sight campaign has grown from local awareness events across Ireland to international advocacy at the United Nations.

As we approach 30 July – UN World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, we remain committed to raising awareness, challenging exploitation and standing up for women and girls.

Together, we can ensure that human trafficking is no longer hidden in plain sight.

27/07/2026

For the past 18 months, Soroptimist International Republic of Ireland has been turning awareness into action.

Across Ireland, our members have hosted public information evenings, panel discussions, community conversations and awareness events, bringing together survivors' organisations, An Garda Síochána, frontline services, government representatives, academics and local communities to shine a light on human trafficking.

Every club has played its part in ensuring that this issue is no longer hidden in plain sight.

Together, our members have:
💙 Hosted awareness events in communities across Ireland.
💙 Reached an estimated 300,000 people through public engagement, media and social media.
💙 Built partnerships with organisations working on the frontline to support victims and tackle exploitation.
💙 Taken our advocacy to the United Nations, ensuring that the experiences and voices of communities across Ireland contribute to the global conversation on ending human trafficking.

We are incredibly proud of what has been achieved but our work doesn't end here.

Awareness creates understanding.
Understanding inspires action.
And action helps protect those most at risk of exploitation.

As we continue our countdown to 30 July – UN World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, we thank every SIROI member, speaker, partner organisation and attendee who has supported this campaign over the past 18 months.

Together, we are helping to ensure that human trafficking is no longer hidden in plain sight.

26/07/2026

Human trafficking isn't confined to major cities.

It can happen anywhere.

Across Ireland, exploitation has been identified in settings including:

✓ Hospitality
✓ Agriculture
✓ Construction
✓ Domestic work
✓ Beauty services
✓ Forced criminality

Most businesses and employers in these sectors operate ethically and legally. However, traffickers often target industries where vulnerable people can be isolated, controlled or exploited.

Human trafficking is about the exploitation of people, not the type of work they are doing.

That is why awareness matters. By understanding where exploitation can occur and recognising the warning signs, we all have a role to play in protecting vulnerable people in our communities.

30 July marks the UN World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.